specktrum or futaba?

[supamansuper]

which is the best manufacturer.I've heard a lot of good things about specktrum but not much about futaba?I'm still relatively new to rc helis and was looking for the best value for money for a beginner.

[antquinn]

spektrum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

its the only way to go !

ant

[frog]

Either, both are top notch, and have their pros and cons. If you are in a club, buy something others can help you program. If your help is off the net, there is plenty of support for both.

If you ever plan to fly fixed wing, Futaba is better. If backup service is important to you, Spektrum can't be beat.

[electricsceadu]

go to your club and see what they use
and buy the same
then if/when you need help in the tx programing they'll be able to help
if you buy the opposite then they will struggle to use the tx

[shikari_chaos]

Yeah wise words. They both have there good points and bad points. However I love my DX7

[johnc150x]

I bought a Futaba T6EX - easy to programme for a complete beginner (me) with no help needed. I had to do a bit of thinking, but I reckon that would have been the case with whatever make I'd have bought. I had good experiences with Futaba when I used to race cars so that influenced my decision as well.

It is basic with only one idle up option (from what I've gathered many systems can run three throttle profiles, the 6EX only has a normal and idle up setting).

As a starter set I like it, so will stick with Futaba and will get a 7C or 8C when I need to. Part of me is glad I didn't get the Spektrum as the failure rate seems high, athough that may be down to there being a lot of them out in the market and no one complains about the after sales service.

[Mike W]

Either .... TBH this will just turn into bun fight . Go to a model shop and feel them both yourself as at the end of the day its YOU that is going to be using it and personally just go with the one that feels more natural .... you can learn to program both just as easily as the other ....

pros and cons ... well theres both to those as well

spekky ... cheaper rx's and more of them and model match ... read of more failures with spekky than I have with futaba ... Have seen at the field where rx's have had to be rebound .... backup for spekky is bar none and never n e issues with getting stuff fixed

Futaba .... not as many rx's and no model match ...Rx's are a little more expensive than spekky but then they not as bulky and dont need a sat on them either so more compact all in one unit ...Never seen n e issues with having to rebind ...Dont know about futaba backup as never had to use it ..

you pays your money you take your chance .... dont take no notice of anyone that has not used both systems to make your mind up as they will be biased towards there system... oh and I use futaba to clear that up

this is comparing the 7 channel tx's nothing else

[Mart61]

Blimey! There's a question.

Nikon or Canon? Suzuki or Kawasaki? Pink or brown?

As has already been said, they each have their pros and cons. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

My personal opinion, having said all this, is that Spektrum (like Align) takes some beating when it comes to value, availability and choice.

[Disc]

Doesn't matter really just depends what you want....

Spektrum... as a few have said there are a few issues but don't worry because should the aerial fall off or the receiver has an issue of any kind send it back to Horizion Hobby and they will just update it and send it back out..... Er go read the web you'll see people send stuff back all the time and it gets fixed for nothing...

Futaba receiver costs more... they don't seem to suffer from any issues always rock solid and I've never seen anyone have an issue. Dare I say it a more Robust system overall.

When you look at the 7 Channel sets there's little in it both are very good and do a stunning job.

Oh the Futaba servo's in the box set are better than the spektrum ones IMO as well.

[Paulice]

With futaba you never need to rebind, and later as you feel the need the high speed RX's are top notch running at 7ms normal being 14 and spectrum 22ms.
At the end of the day hold them in your hands and see what fits your hands best, the gimbals and switches have to feel right "For you" no one else!

[Hangar-7]

With futaba you never need to rebind, and later as you feel the need the high speed RX's are top notch running at 7ms normal being 14 and spectrum 22ms.
At the end of the day hold them in your hands and see what fits your hands best, the gimbals and switches have to feel right "For you" no one else!

+1 from here

[jakegazzard]

Get a second hand 9C. so easy to program and youll get a s/h one with an rx for £100 on ebay

[Dedcalm]

I upgraded from a 9C to a 10CG last year and even with its higher price to the Spektrum offerings (at least at the time) I am more than happy with it and definately made the right choice. I am one of only 3 (I think) in my club flying Futaba though. I suspect the most popular choice is Spektrum and of thir models the DX-7 as its very good for the money.

The Futaba 7 Ch is probably similar money though but I also suspect most heli pilots upgraded from a 6i and stuck with the brand.

Both work well at the end of the day so try them for feel

[Swashbuckler]

JR .

I use Spektrum and JR. If I was doing it all again I might go with Futaba as I have had a fair few problems with Spektrum. Sure they sort your problems for free and quickly but I'd rather not have to use warranty service.

So far with Spektrum I have had:

2 x faulty DX7se screens with missing lines from new
2 x faulty DX7 trainer port won't work
1 x TX aerial snap while in the box!
4 x faulty AR7000s won't bind, cases cracking that then lets plugs vibrate loose
1 x faulty 7600 servos moved slow then died, from new
2 x 6100s had aerials fall off
1 x 7100 had aerial fall off and nearly destroy my Srimok last night
1 x 7100 glitching losing packets

Sure I have a lot of models and so will get more issues than someone with one or two models, but that list is pretty bad when you see it in black and white. And don't think I'm slagging Spektrum because I still use it. But if I was starting again I'd give Futaba a try. But as everyone has said, when you hold the tx it should feel right to YOU.

[raptorheli2]

Get a second hand 9C. so easy to program and youll get a s/h one with an rx for £100 on ebay

i'm sorry but i couldn't disagree with that more. the 9C is a terrible radio, even at £100 i'd give it a wide berth. i'd rather have a 9x over a 9c everyday of the week (and yes i have owned both)

fwiw i have futaba and spektrum. admittedly it's a 14mz and a dx7 so it's difficult to compare but i can say this to keep it easy

1- horizon is a MUCH better distributor/repair centre than ripmax. if something is damaged they "normally" fix things FOC even out with warranty

2- the spektrum systems are not the best quality imo and you will break rx aerials, cases etc, BUT see no 1!.

3- spektrum is annoying with the need to rebind now and then for no apparent reason. i have had to rebind my dx7 many many times, never once re-bound for 14mz.

4- futaba do not have model match, if your in a habbit of not pre flight checking then this maybe an issue.

5- goto your local club and see what buddy systems are available (important!!!!!!!)

hope that helps.

cheers